Kerala's digital drive to make obtaining your driving licence faster & smoother

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Courtesy a mounting backlog of 1.4 lakh licence applications, five lakh vehicle registration certificates and financial constraints, the state plans to stop issuing physical driving licences and move entirely to a digital format. States like Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Rajasthan have already implemented similar systems.

While the Centre has allowed the use of digital documents like driving licences, the major development in the state is the decision to phase out printed licences entirely. The backlog, which has stretched over three months, has sparked frustration among citizens, particularly as around 1.5 lakh people apply for new licences every month.

The delay in printing licences and registration certificates is not solely due to the state's financial constraints but also because the company responsible for printing them - ITI - has yet to clear the backlog. The state owes Rs 9 crore to the company, but both transport and finance departments maintain that these arrears could be cleared once ITI addresses the backlog. "The govt is firm on clearing the dues, but only after the company fulfils its obligation to clear the backlog. Once this is done, we will no longer need to print and distribute physical licences, as digital copies will be sufficient and it will be clarified through a govt order," transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar said.



Digital licences to offer several benefits
Transport commissioner C Nagaraju said several benefits were expected from the move to digital licences. These licences, which will feature a QR code, can be easily verified by motor vehicles department officials. They can also be easily shared with officials when required, reducing the risk of losing or damaging the physical copies. Above all, they can be issued on the same day as the driving test.

“It will be a win-win situation. Our focus is on transitioning to digital licences first, followed by vehicle registration certificates in the next phase. This will simplify operations and make the system more efficient,” he said.

However, provisions will be made for citizens who need physical licences, such as those travelling abroad. These will be issued for a fee. Those without access to smart devices can also print a copy of their digital licence.

The state will ensure that these digital licences are recognised in other states, aligning with the national drive towards digital documentation. The transition will be a crucial step towards streamlining public services and cutting operational costs.